Top 9 best English players in the 2026/27 EFL Championship season | OneFootball

We take a look at the 9 best Englishmen set to feature in the EFL Championship next season.

The 2026/27 Championship campaign will be packed full of big clubs, and with it, there promises to be a glut of English talent on show.

West Ham, Wolves and Burnley all possess household homegrown talent, and the trio will all be expected to challenge for the title alongside a host of threatening contenders.

Last season, several English players made it into the Championship Team of the Season, including talents from Middlesbrough and Wrexham, but who are FLW looking forward to seeing in action the most next term?

Here, we bring you the nine players to look out for next campaign, although some carry a large asterisk next to their names, given the current transfer market.

9 ? ? James Ward-Prowse - West Ham

Yes, many will see James Ward-Prowse's name on the list and think that the midfielder is finished, given his uninspiring spells with Burnley and Nottingham Forest, but at 31, he still has something to offer in the second tier.

Ward-Prowse will return to West Ham this summer following his loan at the Clarets, and he may well be the secret weapon that everyone has forgotten about.

Of course, his immediate future is uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether the Hammers want to retain him heading into the new season, but with Mateus Fernandes expected to leave, he could be the ideal replacement.

The midfielder's dead-ball ability is utterly outstanding, and with set-pieces becoming increasingly influential, he could be set for a renaissance at the London Stadium.

8 ? ? Callum Doyle - Wrexham

One player who keeps going from strength to strength is Wrexham's Callum Doyle, who was named in the Championship Team of the Season after a stellar campaign.

The defender has always been a player with vast potential, having come through Manchester City's academy, and he is now looking like the talent he was predicted to be.

It is frightening to think that Doyle is still only 22, as he has a wealth of experience in the EFL from his spells with Sunderland, Norwich City and Coventry City, and he still has plenty of time to improve.

With the Red Dragons expected to be among the promotion conversation, expect the Englishman to elevate his game to the next level.

7 ? ? Bobby Clark - Derby County

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One of the most eye-catching deals of the summer so far has been Bobby Clark's permanent move from RB Salzburg to Derby County.

The Englishman spent last season on loan at Pride Park, where he made 45 appearances in all competitions, scoring four and assisting four, becoming an integral part of John Eustace's side in the process.

Clark played for Newcastle United and Liverpool at youth level and was labelled as a player with substantial potential, and Rams supporters will be delighted that he is living up to the hype in the East Midlands.

Last season, the 21-year-old ranked in the top three percent of Championship players in his position for successful dribbles, according to FotMob, and he is set for another big campaign in the second tier.

6 ? ? Morgan Whittaker - Middlesbrough

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Hayden Hackney may have stolen the show at Middlesbrough last season, but now he has departed for Everton, there is room for another Englishman to steal the limelight.

The 25-year-old initially underwhelmed when he signed from Plymouth Argyle in January 2025, but he kicked on last term and can elevate his game to another level this campaign.

Last season, the winger notched 14 goals and seven assists as Boro reached the Championship play-off final, but was unable to make his mark at Wembley Stadium.

If Whittaker can better his numbers, then he would certainly be a contender for the Team of the Season, and he will be striving to take the Teessiders to the Premier League.

5 ? ? Sydie Peck - Sheffield United

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Sydie Peck's influence at Sheffield United is growing and growing, and with the Blades expected to vastly improve next season, the central-midfielder is set to be at the heart of their revival.

Despite the club's shortcomings last term, the 21-year-old still enjoyed an encouraging campaign, making nine goal contributions in 40 Championship appearances.

On top of his returns, the midfielder's underlying numbers are exceptional, with Peck winning more aerial duels than any second-tier player in his position last term, while he also boasted the highest xG on target.

At 21, the former Brighton man has a frightening ceiling, and he is set to be one of the players to watch again in the Championship next season.

4 ? ? Taylor Harwood-Bellis - Southampton

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Another key player to Southampton's success is Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who silenced his doubters last season after his inspiring performances in the hub of Tonda Eckert's backline.

No centre-back scored more Championship goals last season than Harwood-Bellis' seven, and his aerial ability from set-pieces is something that will trouble any side.

There has not been as much speculation around the 24-year-old as some of his teammates, although there has been the odd whisper that he could depart the Saints this summer.

If he remains in the second tier, then expect more commanding performances from the man who wore the captain's armband at the back end of last season.

3 ? ? Kyle Walker - Burnley

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Kyle Walker is one of several older talents who will be striving to remind everyone about his ability as Burnley return to the Championship.

The right-back still showed glimpses of what he can do with the Clarets despite a torrid Premier League season, and his pace can still cause problems even if he has lost a few yards.

Walker has made no attempt to hide his desire to return to his boyhood club, Sheffield United, although whether that will happen or not remains to be seen.

Burnley will be targeting promotion, and with the 36-year-old within the ranks, they have the talent and experience to achieve their goal.

2 ? ? Kieran Trippier - Wolves

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Wolves already look like they have completed the signings of the summer with Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez arriving at Molineux, and the latter is set for a starring role in a strong Old Gold side.

Over the years, the right-back has demonstrated his world-class delivery from set-pieces and, with an international star to get on the end of them, he could be in line to break records next term.

At 35, Trippier may have his best years behind him, but he enters the Championship season as one of the most talented players in the division.

While Wolves will have yet another new boss to get used to, expect the England international to deliver some extraordinary numbers in the Black Country.

1 ? ? Jarrod Bowen - West Ham

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Jarrod Bowen has been linked with a wealth of Premier League clubs following West Ham's relegation from the Premier League.

However, given his admiration for the club and family ties in the Dyers, and after key talks with Daniel Kretinsky, Bowen is staying put to try and get the Hammers back to the Premier League.

The 29-year-old was extremely unfortunate not to be named in Thomas Tuchel's England squad given his numbers and consistency over the years, and he will be aiming to make a statement next term.

While many expected him to depart for pastures new, he wants to remain at West Ham, and become a genuine contender for the Golden Boot despite playing as a wide player.

Of course, many will remember that the Englishman made a name for himself in the second tier with Hull City before securing a move to the Irons, and while the rest is history, he is returning to the division where he made waves.